Posts Tagged ‘Ultimate Graveyard’

Last month we held our second PhotoKamp in Los Angeles. Students flew in from all over the US—including 2 graduates from PhotoKamp I—and from as far as the UK this year, which was both awesome and flattering. The three-day photography workshop is designed to teach up-and-coming photographers how to handle professional photography and lighting equipment, direct models to desired results, and light subjects in difficult situations.

On Friday evening, I took the photographers atop a downtown skyscraper, where they captured the LA skyline from sunset to night, and the results were incredible—especially in an era where even consumer-level cameras feature respectable sensor sizes, robust ISO latitude, and long-exposure capabilities. After the rooftop shoot, we headed indoors to a warmer meeting area where my amazing team arranged dinner during an informal Q&A session between me and the students.

On Saturday, we met at SlickforceStudio for an in-depth lesson in professional grip and lighting equipment. We also discussed budget-friendly options, which allow for amazing lighting setups at under $100. It’s always fun to see the wheels turning in the students heads as they learn about new equipment and contemplate exciting lighting setups based on their newfound knowledge. Each student then rotated between the positions of photographer, camera assistant/tech, lighting assistant, and fan operator (always the most fun.) Two models posed for the photographers, allowing for each student to havetwo full hours per day as photographer, in charge of the entire set. They chose the models’ wardrobe, directed their team and the hair & make-up crew, experimented with lighting, and built sets.

On Sunday, we awoke early and carpooled to Ultimate Graveyard in the Mojave desert. Two new models joined us, and while they were in hair and make-up, I showed the photographers solutions for dealing with harsh sunlight and extreme contrast, as well as safetying equipment in high-wind environments and using generators on location. Everyone always has so much fun out in the desert, and there is nothing better than seeing new photographers get excited about cool locations, as I have since the first day I picked up a camera.

I’ve always loved shooting in the desert. And after the real estate market tanked, I decided the time was right to buy my own plot of awesomeness. I have to admit, I felt like a kid getting his first Optimus Prime…I mean, there I was, in the middle of NOWHERE, staring up at the brightest stars you’ve ever seen, and I thought. Holy crap, I OWN this. So throughout 2009, the Slickforce crew and I towed out busted cars from the 1940s, old plane shells…we even set furniture on fire (FUN!)

We’ve shot 5 magazines out there since we opened it. Now, I want to share it with everybody.

Enter Ultimate Graveyard, a 350-acre apocalyptic landscape available for your next film production or photo shoot.

This desert masterpiece features an auto graveyard, gutted plane shells, jacked-up furniture, rusted oil drums, and tumbleweeds as far as the eye can see. Picturesque railroad tracks sprawl across one edge of the property, and the 360º panaromic view showcases breathtaking horizons in all directions.

Best of all, Ultimate Graveyard is completely hidden from public view, so you’ll have total privacy during your shoot. Ultimate Graveyard in is the Mojave Desert—a little more than an hour from Los Angeles.

Ultimate Graveyard is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ask us about our student rates and independent-film discounts.